Apparatus for massage and therapeutic gymnastic treatment



C. G. HOLMSTROM.

APPARATUS FOR MASSAGE AND THERAPEUTIC GYMNASTIC TREATMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY7, I92I.

1,400,547. Patented 1m. 20, 1921.

UNITED sra'rss PATENT orrlce.

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To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL G. HOLMSTROM, residin at 10 Tenth street, northeast, Washington, C., a citizen of -the United States, have invented certain new and 'useful Iin rovements in Apparatus for Massage and Therapeutic Gymnastic Treatments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements 1n massaging devices and has'reference more particularly to a novel device for effectively massaging the legs and arms b a series of rollers movable around the lim The object of the invention is to provide an extremely simple and inexpenslve, yet a durable and efiicient limb 'massager consisting primarily of a pair of frames curved for fitting around the limb and each provided with a series of parallel rollers, means being provided for holding the frames in 0 erative position around the leg or ,arm w ile they are jointly oscillated to cause the rollers to roll the flesh to and fro with any desired degree of pressure, which is preferably controlled by more or less forcible pressure exerted by the hand of the operator.

With the foregoing in view, the invention 'resides in the novel subject matter-hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing which depicts the referred form of construction.

Figure 1 is'a side elevation of a massaging device constructed in accordance with the invention.

, Fig. 2 is a plan view.

Fig. 3 is a sectional VIGW, vation on line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fi 4 is an elevation of a different form of re ler which may be used.

In the drawin s above briefly described, the numerals 1 esignate a pair of open rectangular frames which are carried by the front ends of a pair of handles 2 whose rear ends are connected by a coiled spring 3, said frames, handles and spring beinglby preference formed from a single lengt of spring wire as shown. I I

The frames 1 each carry a. series of parallel elongated massaging rollers i'which, may be of the plain form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, corrugated as in Fig. 4, or of-any other desirable design. The framesl are oppositely bowed in approximate conformity partly in elesaid handles being Specification of Letters Patent. -Pa,te t d D 20 1921 Application filed m 7, 1am. Serial a... 467,541. I

with the transverse curvature of a human limb and. it thus follows. that when the affected limb is received between said frames and they are forced toward each other by pressing the handles 2 inwardly, the rollers 4 will be held against the limb with any desired amount of pressure, such pressure beingsunder full control of the operator simply by increasing or decreasingthe' nressure on the handles with the hand holding them. By means of these handles, the entire device may be oscillated to roll the rollers 4 around the llmb and produce the desired and beneficial rubbing or massaging action.

Furthermore, if desired, massage by pres sure w thout any rubbing action, may be done with the device by successively pressmg the. handles inwardly and releasin them. As soon as the handles are released they are separated by the spring 3 in readmess for their next operation, making the device exceptionally easy and convenient to operate.

in any case of sluggish circulation, hardenmg of the arteries, stagnant tissues, etc. very beneficial results may be obtained and proper blood action restored.

As excellent results may be obtained from the details disclosed, they are preferably folas clalmed, numerous minor changes may be made and obviously any suitable materials.

ma be used. claim:

oppositely bowed frames substantially conforming in curvature to the transverse curvature of a human limb and adapted to receive a limb therebetween, similarly curved, rows of parallel massa 'ng rollers carried by said frames and a apted to be rolled around the limb, and means whereby said frames may be held closed around the limb and jointly moved to operate said rollers.

[2. A structure as specified in claim 1, said means consisting of a pair ofselfeeparating handles extending from said frames at an angle to the roller axes, the outer ends of yieldably connected with each other. 7

3. ,A massage device comprising 0 posed oppositely bowed frames substantial y conforming in curvature to the transverse curvature of a human limb and adapted to receive a limb therebetween, similarly curved separate said handles; said frames, said" handles and said spring being formed from a single length of spring wire.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CARL-G. HOLMSTROM. Witnesses:

W. (300mm,

*H. H. STEINBRUCKER. 

